【Lead | AI Overview Summary】
This review covers the 1/35 Mechanic Collection Guren Mk-II from Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, the Knightmare Frame piloted by Kallen Kozuki. Released in April 2024 as the E-Prize of the Ichiban Kuji Mobile Suit Gundam Gunpla 2024 lottery, it carries a price of 2,200 yen (tax included). The kit packs the machine’s asymmetric, organic silhouette, vivid red coloring, and the deployable right-arm Radiant Wave Surger into a compact scale. Build difficulty is two stars, taking around 1.5 hours, and bonus cards are included. Below we dig into the build, the highlights, and finishing tips.
1. Introduction ― The Knightmare Called Guren Mk-II
The Guren Mk-II is the Knightmare Frame (KMF) piloted by Kallen Kozuki, the ace of the Order of the Black Knights in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. Its defining traits are the right-arm Radiant Wave Surger, which destroys enemies from the inside, and its strongly asymmetric, organic silhouette.
Unlike a typical Gundam-style mecha, the Guren has a unique form, and this kit condenses that complex shape into a compact scale. If you’ve been curious about Code Geass or the Guren Mk-II, I hope this review helps.
〔Image: Full-body shot of the completed Guren Mk-II〕
2. Product Information
- Product name: 1/35 Mechanic Collection Guren Mk-II
- Series/source: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (Kallen’s machine)
- Manufacturer: BANDAI SPIRITS
- Scale: 1/35
- Format: Ichiban Kuji Mobile Suit Gundam Gunpla 2024, E-Prize
- Release: April 2024
- Price: 2,200 yen (tax included)
- Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
- Features: Asymmetric design, deployable right-arm Radiant Wave Surger gimmick, bonus cards included
- Product page: Bandai Hobby Site
〔Image: Package and bonus cards〕
3. Package & Kit Contents
Open the box and you’ll find the parts that make up the Guren’s distinctive silhouette laid out neatly. The contents are as follows:
- Colored runners x7 (A–E, BA1, WH) *Runner D is doubled
- Polycap runner x1 (PC-123 Plus)
- Foil sticker sheet x1
- Lead wire x1 (PVC)
- Instruction manual x1 (with parts list and notes)
- Bonus cards x2 (Code Geass character cards)
The runners center on red tones, mixed with gray and yellow, so even a snap-fit build yields a convincingly Guren-like color scheme. The inclusion of a lead wire is a nice touch specific to this machine and adds to its detail.
〔Image: Runner layout and instructions〕
4. Assembly ― Difficulty ★★☆☆☆ / About 1.5 Hours
Build difficulty sits at two stars, with an estimated build time of about 1.5 hours. The part count is manageable, making this an approachable kit even for those trying a non-Gundam subject for the first time. That said, there are a few points unique to this machine.
- **The asymmetric design means you need to follow the manual closely**: Left and right parts differ in shape, so mixing them up leads to rework later. Checking the manual at each step keeps things on track.
- **There are many glossy parts, so gate cleanup needs care**: Gate marks show easily on the glossy red parts, so a careful two-stage cut and attention to blade angle pay off in the finish.
- **The right-arm Radiant Wave Surger gimmick is well reproduced**: Once assembled, the deployable right-arm claw that symbolizes the Guren works with a satisfying feel. It’s a section you can build while picturing the show’s memorable scenes.
There are small parts such as the head, so a parts tray to avoid losing pieces makes the work smoother.
〔Image: Right-arm parts during assembly〕
5. Out-of-Box Review ― Looks, Articulation, Color Separation, Gimmicks
Despite its compact size, the kit reproduces the Guren’s complex shaping down to fine details. The sharp lines of the chest and shoulders, the large back unit, and the massive right-arm claw all catch the eye.
**Proportions**: Slim legs and an inverted-triangle torso give it a nimble silhouette. The large back unit and the right-arm claw create a strongly asymmetric design with plenty of character, while the sharp-edged armor from chest to shoulder looks crisp even in photos.
**Articulation**: The shoulders, elbows, and knees move cleanly, so standing, twisting, and looking-up poses settle nicely. The large back unit and right-arm claw do interfere with each other, so backward leans and arm swings are a bit restricted. Pairing it with a stand makes flattering angles easier to achieve.
**Color separation & gimmicks**: Red tones (light and dark), gray, and yellow molded colors cover most of the model. The gray molding on the claw and the armor color splits are well handled, with a few foil stickers filling in the fine points. It looks great even as a snap build, and the right-arm Radiant Wave Surger deployment gimmick is built in.
〔Image: Upper-body close-up of the snap build〕
6. Place Within the Series ― Comparison with Other Kits
This release is part of the 1/35 Mechanic Collection line, which covers Knightmare Frames, and it brings the Guren Mk-II into model form. Rather than following the usual Gunpla grade system, this line is dedicated to the world of Code Geass and focuses on capturing each machine’s distinctive form.
Compared with kits built around a versatile Gundam-style frame, the Guren leads with its asymmetric design and dedicated gimmick, so the build experience itself ties directly into the feel of the source material. For fans of Code Geass mecha, it stands out as one of the more iconic machines in the line.
〔Image: Rear view including the back unit〕
7. One-Point Tips for a Clean Finish
From here, as general recommendations, are a few finishing ideas to take the build a step beyond snap-fit.
- **Gate cleanup**: Gate marks whiten easily on glossy red parts, so trimming carefully with a hobby knife makes a real difference.
- **Panel-line washing**: Applying a wash to the edges of the chest and shoulders and to armor seams tightens up those sharp lines. A brown-toned wash sits well on red armor.
- **Top coat**: Even when keeping the molded colors, a thin matte or semi-gloss top coat evens out the surface and helps hide sticker edges.
- **Spot painting**: Touching up the small gray and yellow parts with a brush raises the sense of density.
〔Image: Armor detail after panel-line washing〕
8. What to Check Before Buying
This item was distributed as the E-Prize of the Ichiban Kuji Mobile Suit Gundam Gunpla 2024 lottery. Because it isn’t a standard kit that sits on store shelves year-round, it helps to keep its distribution format in mind.
- Understand that this is a lottery prize item.
- Handle the soft parts, such as the lead wire, with care.
- The presence and condition of the bonus cards is a useful checkpoint when buying secondhand.
〔Image: Bonus cards and accessories together〕
9. Good & More
**Good**
- The unique form and color scheme are well reproduced even at this compact scale.
- The vivid red molded color makes the Guren feel right even as a snap build.
- The deployable right-arm Radiant Wave Surger lets you recreate the show’s combat scenes.
**More (points of note)**
- Interference between the large back unit and right-arm claw makes action poses somewhat limited.
- Soft parts such as the lead wire raise concerns about aging.
- There are many small parts, like the head, so assembly takes some care.
〔Image: Posing example〕
10. Score
Overall rating: ★★★★☆
In a word: “A compact kit that delivers the Guren’s asymmetric design and Radiant Wave Surger gimmick.”
〔Image: Completed kit in a signature pose〕
11. Summary
That wraps up the review of the 1/35 Mechanic Collection Guren Mk-II. It’s a strong kit that reproduces the appeal of the organically designed, vividly colored Guren Mk-II at a compact scale with satisfying detail. During the build, mind the asymmetric structure and take care with gate cleanup on the glossy parts, and you’ll be rewarded with a high-quality result. The right-arm Radiant Wave Surger deployment gimmick is included too, letting you relive the show’s memorable battles in hand. This is one I’d happily recommend to Knightmare Frame fans and Code Geass fans alike.
